Seal-lock for pipe-couplings.



No. 785,526. PATBNTED MAR. 21, 1905.

. R. D. SIMPSON.

SEAL LOCK FOR PIPE COUPLINGS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20.1903.

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR PoZerDJzhwaon ATTRNEY UNITED STATES ROBERT D.SIMPSON, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- Patented March21, 1905.

PATENT OFFIC MENTS, TO THE COLUMBUS METER SEAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OFCOLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SEAL-LOCK FOR PIPE-COUPLINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,526, dated. March21, 1905.

' Application filed July 20,1903. Serial No. 166,243.

To all Ll/11 0771, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT D. SIMPSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at C0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Seal-Locks forPipe'Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of seal-locks forpipe-couplings, and has particular relation to seal-locks for inclosingthe couplings of gas and water conducting pipes which lead to meters.

The objects of my invention are to provide a sealing device of thischaracter of improved construction and arrangement of parts which may bereadily and effectively locked about pipe connections or couplings andprevent access being gained thereto by unauthorized persons.

A further object of my invention is to provide my improved seal-lock ofcomparatively simple and inexpensive construction and to produce otherimprovements the details of construction of which will be more fullypointed out hereinafter.

These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in theaccompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improvedcoupling, sealing, and locking device. Fig. 2 is acentral verticalsection of the same on line a: w of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a View inelevation at right angles with that shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is aplan view of one section of the device.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I employ two cooperating casing-sections,as indicated at 1 and 2. The half-round body of each of these sectionsis substantially semicylindrical or of concavo-convex form incross-section. The

sections 1 and 2 on opposite sides are provided with half-circularrecesses 1 and 2, which result when said sections are brought togetherin the formation of oppositely-located circular openings which areadapted to receive those portions of the gas or Water pipes which areunited by a union or coupling, the latter being inclosed within the bodyof the device formed by said sections. In the construction of thesection 2 I form therewith a peripheral 3 is provided a fixed transversebar 3". 4 represents a locking-spring strip, which strip is insertedbetween the outer wall of the extended portion 3 and the under side ofthe bar 3, the upper end of the strip abutting against the shoulder 3".Below the bar 3 the springstrip bears against the shoulder 3 and extendsinto the lower portion of the casing-section extension 3. Extending fromthe section 2 'on that side which is opposite the extension 3 is akeeper or yoke-like projection 5.

In constructing the remaining section 1 I form with one end thereof ahorizontal projecting lip 6, which when the sections 1 and 2 are broughttogether is adapted to bear upon and close the mouth of the extension 3of the section 2. On the opposite side or end of the section 1 1 providea downwardly and outwardly extended lug 7, which, as indicated in thedrawings, is adapted to assist in the interlocking of the two sectionsby being inserted, as shown, through the keeper or yokelike projection 5of the section 2. In the upper side of the lip projection 6 of thesection 1 and adjacent to the body of the latter I form an opening 8,through which is adapted to pass the greater portion of a sealing-key 9.In the construction of this key the head or upper end portion thereof ispreferably of an enlarged or disk-like form, such as is indicated at 9.At the junction of the key-body and its enlarged head 9 I provide anenlargement 9", which is adapted, as shown, to bear upon the upper sideof the lip 6. Immediately below this enlargement 9 the key 9 is, asindicated at 9, reduced in thickness, so as to permit the head 9 beingmore readily broken from the body of the key. At its lower end the keyis formed with an outturned hooklike termination 9, which when the keyis inserted through the opening 8 in the lip 6 is adapted to come intocontact with the lower portion of the inclined spring-strip 4 and totemporarily depress the latter. When, however. the lower end of thisoutturned end of the key has passed the end of the spring, it is obviousthat the lower end of the latter will again spring upward to its normalposition, thus resulting in engagement of the end of said spring-stripwith the end of the key and in locking the key against withdrawal. Inthis manner the key is made to lock the sections 1 and 2 in desirableengagement with each other, and access to the union or coupling, whichis inclosed by the sectional casing, as described, can onlybe had bybreaking the head or seal off the frangible key.

From the construction shown and described it will be seen that acomparatively simple and inexpensive seal-lock is provided which will beof great utility in inclosing the couplings or unions of pipe-joints.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a seal-lock for pipe-couplings, the combination with twocooperating semicylindrical sections having means for engagement oncorresponding ends, one of said sections having a hollow extension andan inclined spring-strip fixed therein, of a locking-key having a hooktermination, said key adapted to pass through a projection on one ofsaid sections and to have its inner end engage the end of saidspring-strip in the extension of the remaining section, substantially asspecified.

2. In a seal-lock for pipe-couplings, the combination with thelock-section 2 having a yoke-like projection at one end and having ahollow extension at its opposite end, an inclined spring-strip securedin its upper end portion within said extension and having its free enddepending in the lower portion of said extension, of a'semicylindricalsection 1 having a lug 7 projecting from one end and a lip 6 projectingfrom the opposite end, said lip adapted to fit over the mouth of theextension 2 and having an opening, and a locking-key having an enlargedhead, said key adapted to be inserted through said lip-opening and toengage the lower end of the springstrip, substantially as specified.

3. A seal-lock for pipe-couplings and the like, comprising a two-partcasing adapted to fit around the coupling, the two members of the casinghaving a jointed connection on one side of the coupling, one of saidmembers having secured thereto on the other side of the coupling aspring, and the other member carryinga frangible seal member adapted toen gage with said spring, substantially as described.

4. A seal-lock for pipe-couplings and the like, comprising a two-partcasing adapted to fit around the coupling, the two members of the casinghaving a jointed connection on one side of the coupling, one of saidmembers having secured thereon on the other side of the coupling aspring-keeper, and a frangible seal member in the form of a key adaptedto be inserted through the other member after the two members are inposition and to engage said spring-keeper to lock the parts together,substantially as described.

5. In a seal-lock of the character described, a two-part casing adaptedto fit around the coupling, one of the members being provided with aspring-keeper, the other member being provided with an opening adjacentto said keeper, and a frangible seal member in the form of a key, havinga body adapted to be inserted through the said opening and to engage thespring-keeper, and a head which will not pass through said opening,substantially as described.

6. In a seal-lock of the character described, a two-part casing adaptedto lit around the coupling, one of the members being provided with aspring-keeper, the other member being provided with an opening adjacentto said keeper, and a frangible seal member in the form of a key, havinga body adapted to be inserted through the said opening and to engage thespring-keeper, and a head which will not pass through said opening, saidkey being weak at the junction of the head and body to cause the key tobreak at that point, substantially as described.

ROBERT D. SIMPSON.

In presence of G. O. SHEPHERD, VV. L. MORROW.

